The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
